On Friday, Mar. 6, Pascack Valley High School held its annual blood drive run by PV’s Executive Council.

Inside the new gym, music was playing while PV staff and the Executive Council worked together to make sure the event ran smoothly.

Juniors and seniors are invited every year to participate in giving blood, and in the past, Pascack Valley has even been one of the top donors in Northern Bergen County.

“We have pretty consistent turnout every year,” said Senior Executive Council Member Ella Gokhale. “Most of the seniors end up doing it, and a good portion of the juniors.”

Several teachers also donate, including PV Physical Education Teacher Jonathan Moran, who has been involved in the blood drive for over five years.

“I started [by] donating, and then one year, I noticed [Student Government Advisor Shawn] Buchanan seemed a little overwhelmed because there were a lot of people,” said Moran. “I asked if [he] wanted help with this, and he said, ‘You’re more than welcome [to help]’ so, probably about five or six years I’ve been helping run this [blood drive].”

Moran explained that he started donating back in college, and he and his wife still donate.

“To me, it’s just a great cause to help out,” said Moran

The blood that is collected from the students and staff of PVHS is processed by an organization called Vitalant, which is based right out of Montvale, New Jersey, explained Shawn Buchanan. Then it is sent to multiple local hospitals and medical centers.

As well as the Executive Council and select staff members, student EMTs help out with the drive. Seniors Jenna Reinhart and Isabella Zimmerman, and Junior Nived Ranjan are all current EMTs who volunteered for the drive.

A collective effort from all aspects of student involvement, from student EMTs to Executive Council members, has made this event possible for, according to Buchanan, “well over 20 years.”